FIRST-SEASON Spirit WNBL player Caitlin McLachlan will become the latest Bendigo athlete to combine basketball with netball.
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McLachlan, who was also a member of the Bendigo Braves’ 2018 SEABL women’s championship team, will line-up with Heathcote District club Elmore next season.
Her signing has generated a ‘positive and happy buzz’ around Elmore, according to second-year coach Sue Borserio, who has shown a knack for thinking outside the square when it comes to recruiting.
“I made a list of characteristics I was looking for in a netball player and began investigating ideas I had, that’s when Caitlin’s name popped up in the media as a training partner with Spirit,” she said.
“I’d followed her sporting success over the years and had always enjoyed her athleticism and strong hands to the ball in basketball, and I thought I’d have a chat with her to see if we could find a fit for both of us.
“As soon as I met her I liked her; I knew she would be an asset to our team.
“She’s the most likeable girl, with such a warm and honest personality.”
While she is yet to earmark a specific role for McLachlan, Borserio believed the championship-winning basketballer had the ability to play any position on the court.
“She is super quick, amazingly fit thanks to her top class basketball coaches, has a huge vertical leap and has the ‘X’ factor,” she said.
“Mentally she’s tough and is a sensational competitor.
“She will play where ever I need her to, and is capable of turning a game around in a quick time frame. She’s Elmore’s version of Gretel Tippet.”
A successful off-season recruiting drive has also netted the Bloods former Mitiamo defender and midcourter Chloe Whitfield.
The versatile Whitfield was captain of the Superoos’ 2017 grand final team, but did not play in 2018.
Borserio said she would add much-needed finals experience to a largely young Bloods team, which last season contested their first finals series since 2012.
A further two recruits, with ‘multi-sports’ backgrounds, will be unveiled in February.
The new additions at Elmore have not been limited to on-court, with former YCW premiership coach and current AFL Central Vic under-14 specialist coach Nicole Donnellon coming on-board as a specialist goaling coach.
READ MORE – Bloods netball future looking bright
With pre-season training already underway, the Bloods are keen to build on the impressive gains from last season.
“2018 was a huge year for Elmore, no game ever felt easy, we will continue to build our skills and I’m hoping to keep the success rolling,” she said.
“Other clubs are out busy recruiting too and I know we will again have to work hard for any victory.”
